Kucherov's Hart Case: NHL's Most Valuable Player

On this March 18th, here's what's making headlines for the NHL.

Nikita Kuturov is carrying the Tampa Bay Lightning on his back this season with 111 points in 62 games.

That second in the league behind Conor McDavid's 115 in 69 games.

The 32-year-old star is making a real push for the heart trophy as the NHL's most valuable player,

building on his win back in 2019, and recent finalists nods.

Despite injuries sideline in key teammates like Braden Point and Victor Hedman,

plus Kuturov missing four games himself, he's exploded offensively.

Since November 19th, he leaves the league with 93 points over 45 games,

the best mark since Mario Lemieux in 19, 95, 96.

He even climbed from 22 points back in the scoring race.

His dominance has Tampa Bay fans excited and the team thriving.

They're battling for the Atlantic Division title.

Second in goals per game at 3.53, and fourth in fewest goals allowed at 2.76,

thanks to goalie Andreje Vasilevsky.

Kuturov's output has kept him near the top of the east.

Three standout skills fuel his heart case.

First, his shot speed ranks in the 96 percentile at 62.64 miles per hour with elite slap shots.

Second, he tops assists per game at 1.19 and shines in playmaking metrics despite line of changes.

Third, he nails shots from everywhere, tying for league leads in high danger efficiency.

At this pace, Kuturov could hit 40 goals for the fourth time,

helping Tampa snag their first division crown since 2018-19.

It might even lead to another Stanley Cup final run,

putting him alongside legends like Martin St. Louis.

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